Blog

Welcome to “The Dental Digest,” EDP Dental Plan’s educational blog, and an excellent resource to help you and your family keep your smile healthy and bright. The Dental Digest will provide you with dental tips meant to help shorten your routine visits, dental news to help you stay up on the latest developments, and general dentistry knowledge, so you can be a smart, educated patient.

Shorten Routine Dental Appointments

Keep your routine cleanings and other appointments shorter by finding answers to common questions on our blog. Furthermore, by reading our tips on how to practice good oral hygiene at home, you may be able to prevent many conditions, such as cavities and gingivitis, which could become costly to treat later. Shorter dental visits are usually more pleasant visits.

Keep Up to Date on the Latest Dental News and Research

Another benefit of checking recent EDP Dental Plan blog posts is that you can reap all the benefits of the latest dental news. Most adults learned different habits in childhood than those taught by today’s dentists. For example, tongue scraping was not commonly taught in past decades, but we now know that tongue hygiene is crucial not just for your mouth but for overall health. Research also suggests that consistent flossing may reduce the negative effects of teeth grinding, and the ability to examine images of the carotid arteries in dental x-rays has been shown to aid in the prevention of strokes. These are tips that not every patient receives during a routine visit.

Learn More About All Aspects of Dentistry

“The Dental Digest” is about more than self-care. Other topics include the difference between a dental plan and dental insurance, breakthroughs in equipment technology, conquering fear of the dentist, and options for teeth whitening. Read on and find out how you can maximize the value of your dental plan by reviewing our blog regularly and making wise decisions in all aspects of your dental care.

EDP Dental Plan’s low-cost annual membership easily pays for itself, often at the very first appointment. EDP members have access to the expansive EDP network of dentists and specialists throughout New York and can save up to 70 percent on both preventative care and necessary procedures. Best of all, there is no limit to the number of visits per calendar year, and savings add up quickly. In addition to the money you’ll save as an EDP member, you can save time by visiting the blog to remain knowledgeable about preventative at-home oral care.

The History of Dentistry Will Make You Smile

If having your teeth worked on doesn’t rank on your list of favorite activities, take a few minutes to read these highlights of dental history. You just might develop a new appreciation for the art of density and those who practice it!

Is Teeth Whitening Safe? What Is Involved?

More and more people are whitening their teeth, either professionally or at home. While a glowing smile gives anyone a more attractive, healthy appearance, teeth whitening can pose risks if not done safely.

The Difference between Dental Fillings and Dental Sealants

Cavities are the most common disease of the mouth, affecting 85 to 90 percent of adults worldwide. The longtime standard procedure for managing cavities has been the dental filling. However, modern technology has led to the development of dental sealants, which can prevent cavities in the first place. For you and your family’s oral health, it’s important to know the differences between these two weapons against cavities.

How Many Teeth Does the Average Person Have?

Since not all teeth are visible—even in the widest smile—it’s impossible to know how many teeth a given person has without a thorough inspection. You may be curious if you have too many or too little teeth in either yours or your child’s mouth. There is an average number of teeth for both children and adults.

How Often Should I Have My Teeth Cleaned?

Most people do not want to visit the dentist more often than they have to. But how often is that? Even if you have no significant dental issues, you should still schedule regular checkups and cleanings. Although semiannual dental visits have been the gold standard for years, the ideal timetable for having your teeth cleaned is an individual matter.

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity and Means of Relief

Biting into an ice cold frozen fruit bar, sipping a hot cup of tea . . . if the thought of doing either leaves you cringing, you probably have sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity can interfere with your everyday life. Find out what causes such sensitivity and what you can do to manage it.

Healthy Teeth: Brushing Techniques

Brushing at least twice daily is a must for healthy teeth. But there are ways to make your brushing efforts even better to improve your oral hygiene. Step up your current brushing techniques with these useful tips. Back-and-forth scrubbing is one of the most common brushing techniques, but this approach is not suitable for your entire mouth.

The Effects of Smoking on Your Teeth

Your lungs, skin, and most of your body are all negatively affected by smoking. Effects on teeth can be just as harmful. If you need a few more reasons to quit smoking, There is nothing beneficial about smoking. Effects on teeth include significant. yellowing.

What to Do If You Have Sensitive Teeth

Eating and drinking should be enjoyable for everyone. Tooth sensitivity can make these activities fairly unpleasant, even painful. Read on for some tips on how to manage sensitive teeth. Limit certain foods if your teeth are sensitive.

5 Reasons Why You Should Smile More Often

A friendly smile is one of the easiest ways to put others at ease. If that is not enough motivation to put a grin on your face, here are five additional reasons to smile more often: 1). Boost Your Relationships: You are probably drawn to those people who smile more often.

Brushing Your Teeth: Tips to Get Children Excited

As an adult, brushing your teeth is automatic. However, getting children to brush their teeth is a habit that takes time to build. Patience, persistence, and the following incentives can prove extremely helpful. Children’s toothbrushes offer exciting colors, patterns, lights, and music.

5 Foods That Will Help Build Strong Teeth

Sugar may be “Enemy Number One” to your teeth, but there are healthy foods that can actually build strong teeth. Add more of the following foods to your diet and your teeth will be less susceptible to cavities, chips, cracks, and breakage. Milk and cheese help to build strong teeth with their calcium content.

What Is a Prosthodontist and Why You Would Need to See One

There are several types of dental specialists who receive training above and beyond what is taught in dental school. These specialists choose to focus on a particular area of interest. One such dental specialist is a Prosthodontist. The Branch of Prosthodontics A prosthodontist is a specialty dentist who is trained to restore the mouth to a natural-looking, functional state by repairing damaged natural teeth, replacing missing teeth, and addressing facial disfigurements.

5 Things That May Actually Be Harming Your Teeth

After investing time and money in your smile, the last thing you want to do is undo your efforts. The following five lifestyle practices may actually be harming your teeth. Strict low-calorie and elimination diets are likely harming your teeth. Such diets are often unbalanced, failing to provide essential nutrients for good oral health.

Does Your Diet Affect Your Oral Hygiene?

Your diet certainly does affect oral hygiene. Excessive sugar and starch have the potential to cause cavities and create plaque buildup. However, these types of carbs are not the only culprit behind dental problems. If not eaten carefully, even nutritious foods can be problematic.

Besides brushing, what else should I be doing to promote good oral hygiene?

The mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria, which build up as plaque if not removed thoroughly. Plaque can lead to cavities, tartar, gingivitis, and ultimately, tooth loss. The good news is that bacterial growth can be controlled through good oral hygiene. Several elements of dental care contribute to optimal health of the mouth and teeth.

What Is a Periodontist and Why You Would Need to See One

As is the case with doctors, dentists may choose either to establish a generalized practice or specialize in an area. A specialist attends regular dental school and then pursues several more years of education in their chosen specialty field. A periodontist is one such dental specialist.

How Many Times Per Day Should You Brush Your Teeth?

Brushing your teeth properly removes harmful plaque that would otherwise cause cavities. Proper brushing technique doesn’t only concern the act of brushing, but also its frequency. The answer to ‘How many times per day should I brush?’ seems easy; the American Dental Association (ADA) generally recommends brushing your teeth twice per day.

Three Lesser Known Ways to Improve Dental Hygiene

Everyone wants pearly white teeth and a healthy mouth, but very few are aware of the correct way to brush or floss. We know that regular brushing, flossing and dentist visits are an integral part of good dental hygiene, but what are other lesser-known ways to improve oral health?